Just as Han Li and his companion were closely following the flying mouse in pursuit of Elder Zhong’s group, the Ghost Spirit Sect Master and Wei Wuyi had already crossed the massive mountain and arrived in a basin.
The basin was dark and damp, littered with puddles of varying sizes, much to the frustration of the group who had to proceed on foot. Although they could use minor spells to keep the mud and dirty water at bay, their speed inevitably slowed to a crawl.
This time, however, neither Wang Tiangu nor Wei Wuyi voiced any complaints. When they had crossed the summit of the mountain earlier, they had looked down from above and spotted a colossal structure resembling an altar at the center of the basin. This sight immediately lifted the spirits of everyone who had followed the Ghost Spirit Sect Master here, dispelling their earlier doubts. Since entering the valley, this was the first time they had encountered such a well-preserved structure. Without a doubt, this place was no ordinary site—it likely had some connection to the Spirit Vein Garden the Ghost Spirit Sect Master had mentioned.
Thus, though their progress slowed even further, no one seemed impatient or restless.
Some had attempted to use levitation spells to float a few feet above the ground, but the only result was a sudden crimson lightning strike from the sky that nearly shattered one cultivator’s protective artifact. It seemed the closer they got to the center of the basin, the stricter the anti-flight restrictions became. After this incident, the others abandoned any thoughts of shortcuts and resigned themselves to proceeding in a single file. A Ghost Spirit Sect disciple led the way, clearing obstructing shrubs with a few fireballs to carve out a narrow path.
After traveling for most of the day, the group finally neared the altar, catching sight of its towering silhouette in the distance.
The altar was constructed entirely of white stone, shaped like a massive four-sided trapezoid with staircases on all sides. It soared into the clouds, standing hundreds of zhang tall—a truly awe-inspiring sight. However, due to its distance and height, it was impossible to discern any details atop it.
“We’re almost there. At this rate, we’ll reach it in no more than an hour or two. Sect Master Wang, I must say, my curiosity about how you came to know of the Spirit Vein Garden has only grown,” Wei Wuyi remarked. Though he was also walking, his body emitted a faint green glow, and with each step, he effortlessly glided several zhang forward, appearing entirely at ease.
“Brother Wei, rest assured. Once we arrive, I will explain everything,” the Ghost Spirit Sect Master replied with a faint smile, as if it were of little concern.
Wei Wuyi nodded but was about to press further when suddenly, the Ghost Spirit Sect disciple at the front of the group flickered with spiritual light, stumbled, and then—without a sound—was cleanly sliced diagonally from shoulder to waist. His body collapsed silently to the ground.
“A spatial rift!” The Ghost Spirit Sect Master’s expression darkened instantly. Wei Wuyi and Wang Tiangu, who stood behind him, also turned grim.
Though they didn’t know the full extent of the Ghost Spirit Sect Master’s plans, they had followed his guidance into the valley without encountering a single hidden spatial rift until now. Their initial wariness had gradually eased, but the sudden appearance of this rift sent a chill down their spines.
The remaining three Ghost Spirit Sect disciples paled. The entire group halted, frozen in place.
The Ghost Spirit Sect Master stared at the severed corpse, his face shifting between emotions. Meanwhile, Wei Wuyi closed his eyes, seemingly probing with his spiritual sense, but after a moment, he reopened them with a shake of his head.
“No use. Spatial rifts like this can’t be detected by spiritual sense alone. I can’t sense its presence,” Wei Wuyi said flatly.
Wang Tiangu flicked his fingers, sending five fireballs scattering forward. Three of them vanished mid-air with soft pops, while the other two flew past the rift and exploded on the ground, leaving two large craters.
“The rift is small. If we adjust our path slightly, we can bypass it,” Wang Tiangu said, his tone easing.
“Even if this rift is small, who knows how many more lie ahead? We don’t have enough lives to waste testing them. And as far as I know, the route we’re taking shouldn’t have any spatial rifts blocking the way. Could someone have withheld information?” The Ghost Spirit Sect Master’s expression darkened further as he muttered to himself.
Wei Wuyi’s eyes flickered at this, but he remained silent. Wang Tiangu, however, glanced between the distant altar and the corpse on the ground, confusion evident on his face.
“What do you mean, Sect Master?”
The Ghost Spirit Sect Master frowned deeply, tilting his head skyward without answering immediately. After a long pause, he sighed. “I had planned to reveal certain things only after reaching the altar, but it seems I can no longer keep them hidden. I’ll share some truths with you here.” His tone carried a strange note.
Wei Wuyi and the others exchanged puzzled glances.
Ignoring their reactions, the Ghost Spirit Sect Master flicked his sleeve, and a silver light flashed as a scroll materialized in his hand. The scroll was several chi long, shimmering with silver light and exuding an ancient aura.
“This is…” Wang Tiangu gasped in recognition.
“Heh. So you recognize it. You were the one who handed it to me, after all. Everything I know about the Spirit Vein Garden comes from this scroll,” the Ghost Spirit Sect Master said coolly.
Wang Tiangu was stunned. This was the very scroll they had retrieved from the treasure vault in the Mulan Grasslands—the one suspected to be a portrait of the legendary Transcendent Frost Li.
The Ghost Spirit Sect Master tossed the scroll into the air, enveloping it in a sphere of spiritual energy to suspend it at waist height. With a solemn expression, he formed a hand seal and pointed at the scroll. With a sharp “zila,” the scroll unfurled, revealing the image of a scholarly figure with a sword strapped to his back, gazing skyward.
Wang Tiangu and the others stared intently at the portrait, searching for clues but finding none. Wei Wuyi, however, swept his spiritual sense over the scroll and his eyes flickered with surprise.
“Fellow Daoist Wei, as expected of a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, you’ve already discerned its secret. It was only through a special technique that I managed to uncover its anomaly,” the Ghost Spirit Sect Master praised, noting Wei Wuyi’s reaction.
“Nothing extraordinary. It’s been years since I last encountered a spatial artifact like this. Had you not hinted at it, I might not have noticed so quickly,” Wei Wuyi replied, his tone odd.
The Ghost Spirit Sect Master chuckled but didn’t press further. Instead, he raised a hand and shot a black incantation at the open scroll. With a cold snort, he addressed the scroll directly: “Come out. Or must I use demonic flames to force you?”
The others startled at this, bewildered. Even Wei Wuyi arched an eyebrow, suspicion flashing in his eyes.
Then, the impossible happened.
“Wasn’t it agreed that you wouldn’t summon me again until we reached the designated location? Why awaken me now, in front of so many? Do you no longer wish to proceed with our deal?” A clear, masculine voice emanated from the scroll.
Silver light erupted from the painting, and the scholar, who had been facing away, abruptly turned to reveal a middle-aged man with refined features, a long beard, and an icy, displeased expression.
The remaining Ghost Spirit Sect disciples gaped in shock. Even Wang Tiangu, who had handled the scroll before, stood dumbfounded. Only Wei Wuyi, after his initial surprise, quickly regained his composure, studying the scholar’s image with thoughtful eyes.
“Hmph! You dare question me? You swore the route you provided was completely safe. What’s this spatial rift doing here, costing me a disciple’s life?” the Ghost Spirit Sect Master demanded coldly.
“The path I chose was absolutely safe. How could there be an issue?” the scholar retorted, his lips moving within the painting.
“Then explain that!” The Ghost Spirit Sect Master gestured sharply toward the rift.
The scholar paused, then after a brief silence, his image faded from the scroll. The surface shimmered with spiritual light, turning azure as a translucent screen appeared.
A moment later, a green light shot out from the screen, coalescing into a hazy figure—the very scholar from the painting. His form was indistinct, composed of murky gray-white light, flickering faintly as though a mere breath could extinguish him.
“How should I address you? Are you truly the Transcendent Frost Li from legend? How have you preserved your soul all this time?” Wang Tiangu’s voice was hoarse, betraying his astonishment.
“My time outside the scroll is limited. Save your questions for your sect master. First, let me examine this rift.” Ignoring Wang Tiangu’s shock, the scholar frowned at the spatial rift and spat out a sphere of gray light.
With a soft “peng,” the light was silently devoured by the rift. The scholar’s expression turned peculiar.
“Strange. There was no hidden rift here before. It must be a newly formed one—a rare occurrence. No need for undue concern, fellow Daoists. This is merely coincidence. I’ll return now.” After a moment of surprise, the scholar calmed and, with a “puchi,” dissolved back into green light, vanishing into the scroll as though eager to depart.
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